Can electronic textbooks help children to learn?

Purpose – This paper investigates the potential electronic textbooks (e-textbooks) have to augment the learning and education of children. Design/methodology/approach – The study consisted of a total of 60 pupils, split into five groups of 12 participants (six boys and six girls). Each of the five groups were in turn split into two sub-groups of six (three boys and three girls): one sub-group used the printed textbook, while the other used a CD-ROM on a laptop computer. The pupils completed a group test and an individual multiple choice test on information found in the textbooks. Findings – The study showed that the e-textbook was widely accepted by the participants, and motivated group participation. Those using the e-textbook achieved significantly higher test results on average in the group test. Higher (but not significant) average results were achieved by e-textbook users in the individual test. Research limitations/implications – An acknowledged limitation of the study is that the textbooks used for the study were not identical in content. They were equivalent according to subject and recommended age range, but did not contain specifically the same information. Further studies would benefit from making use of an electronic version which is identical, or more similar, to a printed textbook. It would also be worthwhile to investigate the effects of long-term use once the novelty value of the electronic book has subsided. Originality/value – The paper aims to fill the gap in the original literature on the subject of how children relate to and learn from electronic textbooks. The research is of particular interest to teachers, librarians and parents

Scholarly output: print and digital - in teaching and research

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report the outcomes of a Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC)-sponsored study to determine the current state and trends in different forms of scholarly output used in teaching and research; and the nature and extent of problems associated with their use. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 60 UK HE institutions were chosen at random and a selection of departments within these was contacted. An online questionnaire was distributed to the selected departments; resulting in responses from 304 academics across a broad range of subjects and institution types. Findings – The study showed that printed output was still the preferred option in both teaching and research, although electronic journals now have a well-established presence. Web-based material is increasingly provided in teaching and used in research but this includes primarily traditional tools such as reading lists and links to scholarly resources. Some content creation was evident. Use of web 2.0 was not extensive, although respondents were making use of Institutional Learning Environments. Academics were aware of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issues but not always clear about their responsibilities in this area. Research limitations/implications – The study revealed an essentially conservative approach to the developments in digital information. This may have been due to the sample size which was relatively small, and the age profile which clustered around the 45-65 years range. In the case of research the influence of the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) was clear. Originality/value – No equivalent study has been reported on the transition between traditional and new forms of scholarly output used in teaching and research. In this fast developing area this research provides a benchmark for future studies

Metrics for schools and children's services : a ten year retrospective

Metrics for schools and children's services : a ten year retrospectiv

Grounded theory and ethnography combined: a methodology to study children’s interactions on children’s mobile libraries

PURPOSE. Libraries are closing or reducing opening hours in the UK due to budgetary cuts. Library provision for children is consequently diminishing and libraries have to justify their existence. Therefore a reliable methodology for assessing the importance of libraries is vital to demonstrate their value to children’s literacy. Two methodologies were combined to study children visiting children’s mobile libraries (CMLs). The purpose of this paper is to consider whether the combined, qualitative methodology was the correct choice. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH. Aspects of each methodology are examined for their appropriateness for researching children. The compatibility of their philosophical stance and the validity of combining ethnography and grounded theory is explored and questioned. FINDINGS. It is found that grounded theory and ethnography were the optimum combination to form a powerful research tool that allows children to be active participants in research. The combined methodology was successful because the ethnographic elements allowed the researcher to enter to the children’s world, whereas the grounded theory elements provided a structural framework, exploration into a novel research topic and ensured that a valid conclusion was drawn. ORIGINALITY/VALUE. It is unusual for qualitative methodologies such as grounded theory and ethnography to be combined in order to study learning in a non-pedagogic, library environment. This paper is valuable reading for librarians, or educationalists wishing to examine how libraries aid literacy because it verifies the benefits of the combined methodology of grounded theory and ethnography and provides a template which can be used by other researchers

Poetry for pleasure : promoting poetry to children in public libraries

This article reports an investigation of the attitudes and opinions of children’s librarians towards poetry, and towards its promotion in the public library. It also reports some attitudes towards literature promotion to young people in general. A series of structured interviews with library professionals currently working in the public sector strongly indicate that children’s librarians are themselves enthusiastic concerning poetry, and are firmly convinced both of the benefits incurred by children encouraged to read, write and listen to poems from a very early age, and of children’s own enjoyment of this genre. Due to its brevity and memorability, poetry is regarded by the interviewees as the most accessible literary form for poor or reluctant readers, despite its wider image as a neglected and ‘difficult’ genre for children and young people

Author popularity: an exploratory study based on Roald Dahl

The study described here is an attempt to identify the elements which make an author popular. Emphasising the views of children themselves, rather than critics, parents and other adults, the research investigates the popularity with young readers of the writer Roald Dahl. The repertory grid technique is used as the means of eliciting children’s views, and reasons for selecting this as the method are presented. Some informative constructs are identified by the participants in the study and it is reported that the participants found some qualities and characteristics in common between works by Dahl, thereby rendering them different from other books. Although constraints on participant numbers mean that the study can only be seen as a “first step” towards a clearer understanding of children's liking for works by Roald Dahl, it is argued that an attempt has been made to discover the opinions of the readers themselves by speaking to children, rather than simply considering the views of adults. Recommendations for future research are made

Means and ends in UK public libraries: a summary of the LISU Public Library Materials Fund and Budget Survey

Indicates the state of public library materials funds and budgets 1998/99 to estimates for 2000/01, based on a response rate of 91 per cent of UK local authorities. Provides detailed tables which indicate that the position is neutral. Overall total library expenditure increased in line with general inflation which kept pace with book, but not periodical, price increases. There was a decrease of 2.5 per cent in total materials expenditure, but audio-visual expenditure grew. Staff numbers reduced mainly affecting non-professional staff

Staff access to ICT in UK Further & Higher Education

Staff access to ICT in UK Further & Higher Educatio

Keeping the service running: Examining working relationships and workload of London bus network iBus controllers

Bus controllers are an essential part of the London bus network. Although the bus driver is the individual directly in control of the vehicle, inputs from both the controller and driver influence operations. Currently, little research has focused on the dynamic between these parties, and how it works in the day-to-day operation of a bus. In the current study, data was collected across focus groups with controllers to understand the controller-driver relationship from the controller perspective. The objectives of the research were to: investigate interactions and working relationships between bus controllers and drivers in London and to explore the effect of controller/driver relationships on workload, stress and fatigue. It is clear that the working relationship between controllers and drivers is a challenging one, with both parties often misunderstanding the role of the other. This is made worse by the nature of communication via radio including poor quality audio leading to difficult interactions. All of the participating controllers expressed being overloaded with work, leading to feelings of stress and fatigue, with shift work and irregular hours being discussed as a cause of controller fatigue. Any steps taken to improve the difficult working relationship between drivers and controllers can be seen as beneficial because they could improve efficiency, worker wellbeing, and possibly safety

E-scooter safety studies and a user trial study

E-scooters (electric scooters) are becoming more popular around the world, as people seek alternatives to travelling by car to reduce carbon emissions, have better mobility around congested cities and save money. Several e-scooter rental trials are currently running in some areas in the UK. Despite the benefits the use of e-scooters brings, there were 3 fatalities and 931 casualties in accidents involving e-scooters in the UK in 2021. Hence the safety issues becomes increasingly significant. The small footprint of the e-scooter can make the rider feel uncomfortable when sharing the roadway with cars, however, in a similar way to e-scooter riders feeling disproportionately vulnerable on roads compared to cars. Safety issues include e-scooter riders’ erratic and unpredictable behaviour when switching from one travel mode to another. Extensive literature review of this study also reveals that the environmental impact of escooters is still subject to debate with most e-scooter trips replacing walking rather than polluting vehicles. A trial where 22 participants evaluated their e-scooter interaction has favourable results with participants rating the e-scooter highly for safety in general, with some contrasting feedback suggesting potential concerns from users.</p